10 “Store Brand” Products That Are Actually Made by the Big Name Brands
Store brands rarely get much credit. They sit on lower shelves, wear simpler packaging, and are often assumed to be lower quality. In many cases, that assumption is wrong.
A surprising number of store-brand products are manufactured by the same companies that produce well-known national brands. They’re produced in the same facilities, with similar ingredients and quality standards, then sold under a different label for a lower price. Once you know which store brands share those origins, it becomes easier to shop smarter without giving anything up.
Costco – Kirkland Signature Tuna
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Kirkland’s solid white albacore tuna looks strikingly similar to Bumble Bee. The can size, weight, and packaging line up closely, and that similarity is deliberate. Supplier records and industry disclosures tie the two together, letting cost-conscious shoppers stock up on multipacks while keeping the same quality standards intact every time they buy.
Walmart – Great Value Peanut Butter
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ConAgra, which makes Peter Pan peanut butter, also produces Great Value peanut butter for Walmart. A 2007 product recall publicly confirmed the connection. Ingredients and nutrition labels are nearly identical, yet the Great Value jar regularly sells for over a dollar less.
ALDI – Millville Cereal
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ALDI’s Millville cereals are tied to either General Mills or Post’s Malt-O-Meal. Packaging similarities, ingredient lists, and product form suggest the same manufacturers are behind national brands and ALDI’s versions. The store-brand price is typically 20–30% lower.
Costco – Kirkland Signature Diapers
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Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Huggies, is widely reported to produce Kirkland Signature Diapers. While not advertised, product design and user reviews confirm they mirror older Huggies versions. Kirkland’s warehouse pricing undercuts the name brand by over $10 per box.
Walmart – Great Value White Bread
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A 2015 recall revealed that Great Value white bread is baked in the same commercial facilities as those used to produce Sara Lee bread. Both loaves weigh the same and follow identical baking processes. The price difference on shelves typically exceeds 40%.
Costco – Kirkland Signature Batteries
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Duracell manufactures Kirkland Signature batteries. This was publicly confirmed by Costco’s CEO. Independent performance testing shows comparable battery life and reliability, but the Kirkland pack costs nearly half as much as the same-size Duracell version.
Walmart – Great Value Chicken
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Tyson Foods supplies chicken for the Great Value brand. This connection became public following a 2019 multi-brand recall involving both Tyson and Great Value drumsticks. As one of the largest poultry processors in the country, Tyson’s sourcing crossover is well established.
ALDI – Tuscan Garden Italian Dressing
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Tuscan Garden Restaurant Style Italian Dressing is made by TreeHouse Foods, the same supplier behind Olive Garden’s bottled dressings. The ingredient list is nearly the same. ALDI’s version sells for just over $2, compared to nearly $4 for the branded bottle.
Costco – Kirkland Signature Coffee
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Kirkland Signature House Blend and Espresso Roast have been roasted by Starbucks, as shown on previous packaging. Costco has also collaborated with roasters such as Green Mountain and San Francisco Bay. Per-ounce prices remain significantly lower than those of Starbucks retail bags.
Walmart – Great Value Ice Cream
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Great Value ice cream is often produced on the same production lines as Blue Bunny. Wells Enterprises, which owns Blue Bunny, has supplied Walmart’s ice cream for decades. The consistency and flavor give it away to longtime fans, but the real giveaway is the price. A few dollars saved without sacrificing the taste? That’s hard to argue with.